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ActiveCampers

Our home insurance is due in a month.
Perhaps (with luck and a tail wind) in the next 12 months we'll have maybe 3-4 months away in the van, maybe in 6-8 week chunks. Who knows!

Currently with Norwich Union who are really cheap for me (buildings, contents, accidental etc)

So a couple of questions required! Smile

- Who (if anyone) insures for >30 days unattended?
- If no one, are you allowed 29 days, then 2, then 29, then 2 etc?
- Are van contents, such as laptops, tv, dvd, clothes, bikes etc insured under van contents or house insurance?

If we're thinking of long trips, anything we need to do to tell the insurance company?

Thanks in advance!

Annsman

You could try speaking to your provider. We did and found out that for a couple of quid extra we could extend the time away from the house to 90 days. We are with Direct Line and they have been great. Last year we were away for 2 trips and because we had returned home the 90 days began again.

Or you could see if any friends would lie to stay at yours for a couple of weeks, this time doesn't count because someone is in the house. It has to be an adult and you have to "name" them on your policy.

Buzzer

Hi we have just taken building and contents insurance with the Camping and Caravan Clubs, Club Care Insurance. They use Royal Sun Alliance and you can go away for any trip for up to 180 days in duration Very Happy

without any need to notify them further.

Hope this helps Smile

Len

homenaway

Hi,
We have been with Saga for the last couple of years which allows 60 days unoccupied.
This year the quote had gone up by £30 Crying or Very sad

I got a quote from RIAS who also have a 60 day unoccupied policy but with more conditions. provided you are over 50!

They were quite a bit cheaper but Saga price matched their quote Smile

Steve

baldybazza

We are also with Saga so get 60 days away but we can increase to 180 days for an extra £75.

Jan

ActiveCampers

Thanks for the tip.

I'm with Norwich Union who, for some reason, are really cheap for me and no one has beaten their price for years. (Full accidental building and contents).

Anyway - 20 mins on the phone flirting - I mean chatting - to a lovely scottish bird, and got all the info I need:-

- NU will change from 30 to 60 days away from home for "roughly" 10% increase PA. And this can be added pro-rata at time! So no need to make calls now. (They will also give unlimited but I didn't ask as its not me) (See note 1)

- NU will cover entire van contents on the home policy (I asked for 2 laptops, 3 GPS's; NDS; Satellite; TV etc; clothes etc). Absolultey no hassle - all covered under "contents away from home" world wide. Just phone to "up" the limit when you travel, and "lower" it when you get back.

Absoltely great answers to my questions.

Oh - and I got a renewal letter offering free bottles of wine if I renew online Smile

/Have to say - I'm astounded at how good the answers were I got.

Note 1: After 30 days they don't cover certain things, like garden furniture; smashed windows; burst pipes etc - which I guess is pretty fair actually. Few other exclusions but worth checking.

Edit: Forgot to say; "up to 60 days" means "59" days, 1 overnight stay back, 59 days away, 1 day back etc is absolultey fine.